Here is how you should drive in a national park

A visit to places such as Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary will reveal just how human the primate cousins are close to you.

Science has proven that a chimpanzee has 98.7 per cent human DNA. The animal instinct is in wild animals as much as in man although the levels differ which partly explains the rules and regulations you need to adhere to when driving in a national park, the reserve living spaces for wildlife, flora and fauna.

Be patient and avoid rushing
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), leads conservation efforts of the country’s wildlife in the 10 national parks and 12 wildlife reserves and 14 wildlife sanctuary. “Stay in your vehicle at all times, except at designated picnic or walking areas. Keep below the maximum speed limit, which is 40 kilometres per hour,” advises UWA, in its rules to visitors to national parks and other designated wildlife spaces.

Balaam Mugisha, a safari tour and travel driver and guide with Across Africa and Gorilla Safaris Uganda, respects and adheres to the rules and qualifies their relevance with the argument that in case a driver spots a wild animal, the speed of 40 kilometres per hour is convenient enough for them to comfortably stop and let an animal pass without any injuries.

“It is way too easy to step on the breaks and this goes on to also facilitate peaceful game viewing,” he adds. That is particularly spot-on given the rich biodiversity and wildlife endowment in Uganda’s tourist destinations.

The attractions
You might want to know that there is so much to protect and conserve through limiting your speed in some of Uganda’s leading national parks. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest home of the Mountain Gorilla, the semi-arid Kidepo Valley, Murchison Falls where you can spot the Murchison Falls as they ferociously gush out a beautiful splash through a gauge and Queen Elizabeth with the Kazinga channel that connects Lake George and Edward along which you can see hippos and a variety of bird species.

Lake Mburo popular for its graceful Zebras, kobs and more, Kibale for the chimpanzees, Rwenzori where you can hike the snow-capped mountain, Mgahinga for mountain gorillas and Semliki where you will experience nature’s magic as the springs boil eggs and make for photographic moments.

No hooting
“When someone enters the park, they would have paid their money, so they are at liberty to enjoy the gifts of nature that the Pearl of Africa has to offer. As guides, we have to be disciplined in driving the tourists. We are not supposed to hoot because when we do so, the horn scares away the animals and may lead some to act defensively for example the elephants which may charge at you or attack you,” Mugisha observes.

Limit noise
UWA additionally emphasises that tourists or visitors to the parks should respect the privacy of the wildlife as those are their habitats. It adds, “Keep quiet, noise disturbs the wildlife and may antagonize your fellow visitors.

Never drive off-road, this severely damages the habitat. Beware of the animals. They are wild and can be unpredictable. Do not crowd the animals or make sudden noises or movements.
Do not feed the animals, it upsets their diet and leads to human dependence. When viewing wildlife keep to a minimum distance of 20 metres and pull to the side of the road so as to allow others to pass.”

Quoting from guidelines of UWA and Rwanda Development Board (RBD), Karibu East Africa also highlights the need to avoid carrying firearms to the park as such ammunitions can destruct the security in the park and one may be looked at as a threat to the wildlife and other visitors in the park.

South Africa’s Arrive Alive mobile application lists out some more guidelines that are essential for safety and driving while on safari in the nature reserve.

“It is not only our safety we should be concerned about, but also that of the wildlife we are observing. Smoking should be restricted to designated areas only, and definitely not allowed in the veld. The dry African bush ignites very easily, and a flash fire can kill animals.”

Peak times
The app’s guidelines also state that when driving at night, early morning and at dusk, caution needs to be taken as these times are when animal activity and the chance for vehicles to impact with animals are the greatest.

As such, try to slow down, especially after dark. Many animals needlessly become victims simply because people drive too fast to avoid hitting them. Speed poses a risk to human and animal safety.

Also, you are implored to scan the road as you drive, watching the edges for wildlife about to cross. Young animals, in particular, do not recognise cars as a threat.

On the whole, taking guidelines into consideration while driving in the park, reserve or any designated area for wildlife visits and viewing will get you enjoying your safari excursion and experience.